Scholarship recipients have the
option of studying the New Zealand Diploma in Business, the
New Zealand Diploma in Construction, or the New Zealand
Diploma in Architectural Technology at UCOL.

The
scholarships are valued at $6,000 each.

This is the fourth
year Manawatū Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 (part of Freemasons
New Zealand), UCOL, and Registered Master Builders have
partnered to deliver these scholarships.

Shane Tooley, a
Cadet Foreman for Isles Construction, says he will use his
scholarship to study the NZ Diploma in Construction
(Construction Management strand) as it will benefit his
current role and help him take his career forward.

“I
want to gain a deeper insight into how the construction
industry works, what happens at higher levels, how jobs are
won and lost, and why I’m building what I’m
building.”

Campbell Greig, a Builder for Avenue
Construction, plans to study the New Zealand Diploma in
Construction (Quantity Surveying strand) so he can
eventually work as a Quantity Surveyor.

James Cole
received a special one-off $2,000 scholarship awarded in
honour of late Manawatū Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 member
Malcolm Pettman. Pettman, who passed away earlier this year,
had overseen the Freemasons Willson Lewis Scholarship since
its inception, and was a former UCOL Council Chair.

The
scholarship was funded by the Freemasons Charity, UCOL, and
money raised in recognition of Pettman.

Cole, who last
year set up his construction company JG Residential after 10
years of building, plans to study the New Zealand Diploma in
Business.

“It means a lot to me to receive this award.
I’ve always wanted to further my education but I chose a
trade first. Now with this extra money, I’ll be able to
study more freely,” says Cole.

“Being new to running a
business, I want make sure that it has the best opportunity
to grow.”

Andrew Neilson of Manawatū Kilwinning Lodge
says the lodge has a proud tradition of charitable giving
and support for academic excellence in the
Manawatū.

“We see the Freemasons Willson Lewis
Scholarships as a valuable addition to these efforts, more
particularly in rewarding those in the trades, to sit
alongside our long history of scholarships to tertiary
students.”

“The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge is pleased
to continue the legacy of the late Malcolm Pettman, who was
instrumental in setting up these scholarships.”

Darren
Shadbolt, a member of the judging panel, says the
scholarship recipients all demonstrated a commitment to
their chosen career paths, positive attitudes, and ongoing
contribution to the industry and their
communities.

“These attributes and values reflect those
that are central to the philosophy of Freemasonry and would
certainly meet the approval of the original scholarship
benefactors.”

UCOL Executive Dean of Engineering and
Applied Technologies Danny Reilly says he appreciates
Manawatū Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 and Master Builders’
continued support for these scholarships.

“Scholarships
can have a huge impact on people’s ability to start and
complete tertiary qualifications. The recipients of these
scholarships generally study part time on top of working,
which is a huge commitment, so the scholarships ease some of
the financial pressure.”

Manawatū Registered Master
Builders representative Cameron Isles says his organisation
is proud to be part a scholarship opportunity that
contributes to the growth of the construction industry in
the region.

“Construction is a growth industry, but as
Master Builders we recognise it’s not just about bringing
more numbers into the industry. We see these scholarships as
an opportunity to help people already in the industry
progress their careers into positions that will keep driving
the industry forward.”

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